^7^ NEUROPTFRA. 
Lucy, Indeed, insects, however beau- 
tiful, are not very amiable animals, for 
almost every kind preys upon its neigh- 
bours. 
Mother, lliis seems to have been 
ordained by Providence as a means of 
preventing too great an increase of any 
one kind. 
These larvse are produced from ^^g^^ 
which the dragon fly drops upon the sur- 
face of the water, and which, sinking to 
the bottom, are hatched in the sand or 
gravel : but they continue only a short 
part of their watery life in the state of 
larvae, and soon change to nymphs. 
Lucy, I suppose they are not so vo- 
racious in the pupa state ? 
Mother, They retain all their powers 
of eating, running, and swimming ; and 
even acquire a sort of mask, or shield, 
which is attached to the head, and be- 
hind which they devour their prey. 
Lucy, How long do they continue in 
the water ? 
Mother, Nearly two years. When 
